Darin Givens
@atlurbanist.bsky.social
ThreadATL cofounder, urbanism addict, web developer, neurologically-challenged cane walker
✡רָפָאֵל🪬
✡רָפָאֵל🪬
Reposted by Darin Givens
Oh hey we just did this
We traded our big 2700 sqft suburban home for a 1400 sqft townhome in a walkable and bikeable area (for roughly the same price).
We're more active, happier, and have no yard work!
PS the old house is on the urban wildland interface so our fire risk is waaaaay lower now
We traded our big 2700 sqft suburban home for a 1400 sqft townhome in a walkable and bikeable area (for roughly the same price).
We're more active, happier, and have no yard work!
PS the old house is on the urban wildland interface so our fire risk is waaaaay lower now
New on Nebula — what would you have to sacrifice to move from the typical suburb to a super walkable urban neighborhood? Food for thought in 26 U.S. cities:
nebula.tv/videos/cityn...
nebula.tv/videos/cityn...
CityNerd — Walkable Places But They Keep Getting More Affordable
If you ditched your car, could you afford to leave the suburbs for a great urban neighborhood? We'll answer the question in the 26 biggest US cities.
nebula.tv
December 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Oh hey we just did this
We traded our big 2700 sqft suburban home for a 1400 sqft townhome in a walkable and bikeable area (for roughly the same price).
We're more active, happier, and have no yard work!
PS the old house is on the urban wildland interface so our fire risk is waaaaay lower now
We traded our big 2700 sqft suburban home for a 1400 sqft townhome in a walkable and bikeable area (for roughly the same price).
We're more active, happier, and have no yard work!
PS the old house is on the urban wildland interface so our fire risk is waaaaay lower now
How expensive does car ownership have to get before U.S. culture shifts and we collectively accept that car-dependent urban design is huge burden on personal finances? Apparently we still haven't hit that mark. Average new car price: $50k and rising.
www.kbb.com/car-news/new...
www.kbb.com/car-news/new...
New Record: Average New Car Prices Surpasses $50,000 - Kelley Blue Book
The average American new car buyer paid $50,080 in September — a new record, and the first time the figure has ever topped the $50,000 mark.
www.kbb.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
How expensive does car ownership have to get before U.S. culture shifts and we collectively accept that car-dependent urban design is huge burden on personal finances? Apparently we still haven't hit that mark. Average new car price: $50k and rising.
www.kbb.com/car-news/new...
www.kbb.com/car-news/new...
Reposted by Darin Givens
APS says the saving from closing 16 schools is a mere $25M/yr.
The TADs currently lose them $100M/yr.
So Darin's question is on target.
The TADs currently lose them $100M/yr.
So Darin's question is on target.
I have to wonder: would APS be in a situation where they have to close 16 schools if they hadn't lost out on funds for the past 20 years through Tax Allocation Districts?
(2/10) APS leaders say they must “rightsize,” noting roughly 70k available seats but only 50k students, and project that consolidation could save $25M annually.
Parents warned that vacant buildings would further destabilize disinvested neighborhoods. youtube.com/live/KaPto_9...
Parents warned that vacant buildings would further destabilize disinvested neighborhoods. youtube.com/live/KaPto_9...
December 8, 2025 at 10:02 PM
APS says the saving from closing 16 schools is a mere $25M/yr.
The TADs currently lose them $100M/yr.
So Darin's question is on target.
The TADs currently lose them $100M/yr.
So Darin's question is on target.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Absolutely not. The Beltline *alone* is diverting ~$50 million/year and growing from schools just from its TAD/TIF. And $ from Grady and other basic services. (And this would be even larger if corporate properties were being taxed at close to market value as they are supposed to be.)
I have to wonder: would APS be in a situation where they have to close 16 schools if they hadn't lost out on funds for the past 20 years through Tax Allocation Districts?
(2/10) APS leaders say they must “rightsize,” noting roughly 70k available seats but only 50k students, and project that consolidation could save $25M annually.
Parents warned that vacant buildings would further destabilize disinvested neighborhoods. youtube.com/live/KaPto_9...
Parents warned that vacant buildings would further destabilize disinvested neighborhoods. youtube.com/live/KaPto_9...
December 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Absolutely not. The Beltline *alone* is diverting ~$50 million/year and growing from schools just from its TAD/TIF. And $ from Grady and other basic services. (And this would be even larger if corporate properties were being taxed at close to market value as they are supposed to be.)
I have to wonder: would APS be in a situation where they have to close 16 schools if they hadn't lost out on funds for the past 20 years through Tax Allocation Districts?
(2/10) APS leaders say they must “rightsize,” noting roughly 70k available seats but only 50k students, and project that consolidation could save $25M annually.
Parents warned that vacant buildings would further destabilize disinvested neighborhoods. youtube.com/live/KaPto_9...
Parents warned that vacant buildings would further destabilize disinvested neighborhoods. youtube.com/live/KaPto_9...
December 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I have to wonder: would APS be in a situation where they have to close 16 schools if they hadn't lost out on funds for the past 20 years through Tax Allocation Districts?
BAM! This is how you do it. South Downtown is replacing a parking lot with a park, adjacent to a block of great old buildings that they're renovating 😍
See how that works? Instead of demolishing old buildings, we can demolish parking lots to create new park spaces. 👍
See how that works? Instead of demolishing old buildings, we can demolish parking lots to create new park spaces. 👍
December 5, 2025 at 5:18 AM
BAM! This is how you do it. South Downtown is replacing a parking lot with a park, adjacent to a block of great old buildings that they're renovating 😍
See how that works? Instead of demolishing old buildings, we can demolish parking lots to create new park spaces. 👍
See how that works? Instead of demolishing old buildings, we can demolish parking lots to create new park spaces. 👍
My 816 bus never showed up so I walked to lunch down Ralph McGill Blvd, where I spotted:
A City of Atlanta vehicle parked on the sidewalk (a constant problem here).
A crumbling sidewalk, though the car lanes are newly paved.
A random wheel on the sidewalk.
Stay classy, ATL.
A City of Atlanta vehicle parked on the sidewalk (a constant problem here).
A crumbling sidewalk, though the car lanes are newly paved.
A random wheel on the sidewalk.
Stay classy, ATL.
December 4, 2025 at 10:57 PM
My 816 bus never showed up so I walked to lunch down Ralph McGill Blvd, where I spotted:
A City of Atlanta vehicle parked on the sidewalk (a constant problem here).
A crumbling sidewalk, though the car lanes are newly paved.
A random wheel on the sidewalk.
Stay classy, ATL.
A City of Atlanta vehicle parked on the sidewalk (a constant problem here).
A crumbling sidewalk, though the car lanes are newly paved.
A random wheel on the sidewalk.
Stay classy, ATL.
For years I scoffed at the idea that "the market" would save us from car-centric cities & climate disaster, calling for politicians to lead.
But city leaders appear too weak to enforce safe streets:
www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
National voters enable this:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/c...
But city leaders appear too weak to enforce safe streets:
www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
National voters enable this:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/c...
December 4, 2025 at 1:16 PM
For years I scoffed at the idea that "the market" would save us from car-centric cities & climate disaster, calling for politicians to lead.
But city leaders appear too weak to enforce safe streets:
www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
National voters enable this:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/c...
But city leaders appear too weak to enforce safe streets:
www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
National voters enable this:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/c...
We should just be building more of Broad Street. This is the pattern. It's already here in Atlanta.
December 3, 2025 at 7:41 PM
We should just be building more of Broad Street. This is the pattern. It's already here in Atlanta.
Due to freezing temps, ATL is opening two warming centers at 8 pm until 6 am tomorrow:
Central Park Recreation Center
Old Adamsville Recreation Center
Also: we live two blocks from the first center & are proud to host this in our n'hood. People who block these are warped.
Central Park Recreation Center
Old Adamsville Recreation Center
Also: we live two blocks from the first center & are proud to host this in our n'hood. People who block these are warped.
December 2, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Due to freezing temps, ATL is opening two warming centers at 8 pm until 6 am tomorrow:
Central Park Recreation Center
Old Adamsville Recreation Center
Also: we live two blocks from the first center & are proud to host this in our n'hood. People who block these are warped.
Central Park Recreation Center
Old Adamsville Recreation Center
Also: we live two blocks from the first center & are proud to host this in our n'hood. People who block these are warped.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Important to note the Mayor and his goons tout Atlantic Station as best case example of a TAD, which I find dubious. It missed its economic development goals by 50%, BARELY paid back its bonds, and now we see that $250 million in subsidies couldn’t even keep one grocery store open permanently.
[ALERT] Atlantic Station Publix to Close After Two Decades in Business
Publix is closing its store at Atlantic Station After 20 years in business
www.tonetoatl.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Important to note the Mayor and his goons tout Atlantic Station as best case example of a TAD, which I find dubious. It missed its economic development goals by 50%, BARELY paid back its bonds, and now we see that $250 million in subsidies couldn’t even keep one grocery store open permanently.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Come January, we’re bringing regular people into the democratic process. No more secret meetings and back room deals! Democracy is for everyone, not the elite few.
www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
Atlanta City Council ends year without tax extension vote
Extending the city’s TADs has become the hallmark policy initiative of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' second term, which begins in January.
www.ajc.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Come January, we’re bringing regular people into the democratic process. No more secret meetings and back room deals! Democracy is for everyone, not the elite few.
www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
How sad! The Publix grocery store at Atlantic Station is reportedly closing. This will be a big loss for the neighborhood, and for the entire mixed-use ideal of Atlantic Station, which opened twenty years ago as a major brownfield-redevelopment project.
www.tonetoatl.com/2025/12/Publ...
www.tonetoatl.com/2025/12/Publ...
December 2, 2025 at 6:08 AM
How sad! The Publix grocery store at Atlantic Station is reportedly closing. This will be a big loss for the neighborhood, and for the entire mixed-use ideal of Atlantic Station, which opened twenty years ago as a major brownfield-redevelopment project.
www.tonetoatl.com/2025/12/Publ...
www.tonetoatl.com/2025/12/Publ...
I'm not anti car. I'm anti car-dependency.
I'm pro "act like it's a city."
I'm pro "act like it's a city."
December 1, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I'm not anti car. I'm anti car-dependency.
I'm pro "act like it's a city."
I'm pro "act like it's a city."
Reposted by Darin Givens
This video critique of the Atlanta Streetcar is getting a lot of views and comments. What are your thoughts about it?
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
Can Atlanta's Awful Streetcar Be Fixed?
YouTube video by Classy Whale
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:45 AM
This video critique of the Atlanta Streetcar is getting a lot of views and comments. What are your thoughts about it?
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
Sunset colors on a giant parking deck. Seen while waiting for a bus at Civic Center MARTA Station this evening. Dear God, let me live long enough to see this parking deck come down and see rail-appropriate development replace it. Thanks and amen.
November 27, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Sunset colors on a giant parking deck. Seen while waiting for a bus at Civic Center MARTA Station this evening. Dear God, let me live long enough to see this parking deck come down and see rail-appropriate development replace it. Thanks and amen.
In case you're shopping for places to donate some money for end-of-year giving, with an Atlanta focus, I recommend Propel ATL. They do good work with promoting safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone really.
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
Propel ATL
Transforming Atlanta’s streets into safe, inclusive, and thriving spaces for people to ride, walk, and roll.
www.letspropelatl.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 AM
In case you're shopping for places to donate some money for end-of-year giving, with an Atlanta focus, I recommend Propel ATL. They do good work with promoting safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone really.
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
Woah, only 1.3 percent of vehicles in GA are electric 😲
the answer is about 1.3%!
eservices.drives.ga.gov/_/#1
follow the link at the bottom "View County Registration Statistics"
As of November 24, 2025, there are 10893077 registered vehicles in Georgia. 144787 of these vehicles are electric.
eservices.drives.ga.gov/_/#1
follow the link at the bottom "View County Registration Statistics"
As of November 24, 2025, there are 10893077 registered vehicles in Georgia. 144787 of these vehicles are electric.
e-Services
Titles, Registrations,
License Plates, and Insurance
eservices.drives.ga.gov
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Woah, only 1.3 percent of vehicles in GA are electric 😲
I think the Eastside Beltline and the businesses alongside it would benefit from the weatherproof connectivity of a train. It's pretty empty in rainy weather.
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I think the Eastside Beltline and the businesses alongside it would benefit from the weatherproof connectivity of a train. It's pretty empty in rainy weather.
Dallas Street in Old Fourth Ward, facing east. What used to be here as late as 2007: kudzu and weedy lots. Now it's a beautiful park surrounded by development.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Dallas Street in Old Fourth Ward, facing east. What used to be here as late as 2007: kudzu and weedy lots. Now it's a beautiful park surrounded by development.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
The experience of being a pedestrian on Atlanta streets -- especially ones that connect to MARTA -- needs a lot of work. But when I'm riding the train, I get to take a break from those issues and just enjoy the view.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
November 24, 2025 at 3:34 AM
The experience of being a pedestrian on Atlanta streets -- especially ones that connect to MARTA -- needs a lot of work. But when I'm riding the train, I get to take a break from those issues and just enjoy the view.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
"Ridership has got to improve...We have the ability to run our trains every 90 seconds (at peak times, MARTA trains run about every eight minutes)."
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
A deep dive audit of MARTA's operations offers great potential for metro Atlanta - SaportaReport
Read A deep dive audit of MARTA's operations offers great potential for metro Atlanta by Maria Saporta for SaportaReport here.
saportareport.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 AM
"Ridership has got to improve...We have the ability to run our trains every 90 seconds (at peak times, MARTA trains run about every eight minutes)."
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
"Cumberland Sweep: a 3-mile project envisioned with a multi-use path and dedicated lanes for autonomous shuttles"
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 PM
"Cumberland Sweep: a 3-mile project envisioned with a multi-use path and dedicated lanes for autonomous shuttles"
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
MARTA was awarded over $20 million this week through an FTA grant to replace some older, end-of-life buses with new ones.
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
www.transit.dot.gov
November 20, 2025 at 9:46 PM
MARTA was awarded over $20 million this week through an FTA grant to replace some older, end-of-life buses with new ones.
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
Just because a street has sidewalks, that doesn't automatically make it a nice place to walk.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.
November 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Just because a street has sidewalks, that doesn't automatically make it a nice place to walk.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.